Back Blip: Dolphin Pod

We set off from our anchorage at Tobermory around 5am. As predicted the earlier lifting of the anchor had woken me up, and I was the only passenger on deck as we headed into the Sound of Mull. The sea was calm and the light wonderful.

All that changed as we came around Ardanmurchan Point into the open seas, where we hit big swells and the boat really began rolling. I was excited just watching all the gannets, auks and manx shearwaters as we rolled along. Our maximum speed is around eight knotts although tides and swells can mean it’s well below that.

The captain made a decision to take a route through the Sound of Rum, as the islands would protect us from the bigger swells. We passed first Muck, then Eigg, Rum and finally Canna (which together comprise the “Small Isles”). Passing the biggest, Rum, the sea calmed and we were accompanied by a pod of around twelve common dolphins for about thirty minutes, all riding the ship’s bow wave. It was mesmerising.

Finally into the open seas again as we head for South Uist and our anchorage for the night at well sheltered Loch Eport. I am very tired, it’s been a full on day. But a really enjoyable one.